Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday inaugurated helicopter services connecting Shimla with Rampur and Rekong Peo in Kinnaur district. He said the routes would improve access to remote areas, support tourism and enable faster transportation during medical emergencies.

The service will operate three times a week, with flights scheduled on Monday, Friday and Saturday. The helicopter will travel from Shimla to Rampur before continuing to Rekong Peo, providing an alternative to the road journey, which can take around nine hours. The flight between Rampur and Rekong Peo is expected to take about 40 minutes.

Sukhu said the state had approved its share of viability gap funding after residents raised concerns about the delay in starting flights from Rampur. He added that the government was working to extend helicopter connectivity to Manali, Palampur, Hamirpur and Chamba over the next three to four months. It is also examining the operation of a 17-seater helicopter between Shimla and Chandigarh.

Pawan Hans Executive Director (Marketing) Manish Rokade said the service would initially connect Chandigarh with Sanjauli in Shimla, followed by Rampur and Rekong Peo, with a proposed extension to Manali. The fare is expected to be around Rs. 6,000 for Manali and Rs. 4,000 for Rampur, while the fare from Shimla to Rampur is approximately Rs. 3,642 and from Rampur to Rekong Peo about Rs. 4,200.

The state is developing helipads at district headquarters, including Solan and Sirmaur. Sukhu said land acquisition for the expansion of Kangra airport had begun using state resources, with around Rs. 24 bn disbursed for the process and rehabilitation of affected families. The expanded airport is expected to support helicopter links between district headquarters. Pawan Hans is also discussing the possible operation of a 26-seater MI-172 helicopter, while the new routes remain separate from services under the Centre’s UDAN scheme.